Impingement shield shaping tool and method for using same

ABSTRACT

A tool assembly for shaping an impingement shield for use with a turbine engine is provided. The tool assembly includes a bracket, a connecting member, and at least one support member. The connecting member is coupled to a force device and a zipper strip that is coupled to the impingement shield. The support member is positioned on the impingement shield via pads that are moveable to accommodate the contour of the impingement shield. By pulling the zipper strip, the zipper strip may be straightened and/or the impingement shield may be shaped.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to tools and, moreparticularly, a tool for use in shaping impingement shields used inturbine engines.

At least some known turbine engines include a transition piece thatextends from a combustor to a turbine. At least some known transitionpieces include an impingement shield that is formed from twosemi-circular halves that are coupled together using at least one zipperstrip. Each zipper strip is typically welded to the longitudinal jointformed where the two semi-circular halves meet. As a result of beingexposed to the heat generated by the welding process and/or duringoperation in the turbine engine, the impingement shield may becomedeformed. Deformations in the impingement shield may cause non-uniformairflow around the impingement shield which may result in decreasing theperformance of the turbine engine.

As part of routine maintenance of known turbine engines, the impingementshield may be disassembled. During disassembly of known impingementshields, the zipper strips are typically removed by grinding both thezipper strip and the welds that couple the zipper strip to theimpingement shield. However, because the zipper strip and/or impingementshield are often deformed, the grinding process may be difficult andmultiple grinding tools may be required. Accordingly, a need exists fora tool that can be used to straighten a zipper strip and/or to reshapean impingement shield that has been deformed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a tool assembly for shaping an impingement shieldcomprising a zipper strip is provided. The tool assembly comprises abracket comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a channel thatextends from the first portion to the second portion. The tool assemblyfurther comprises a connecting member sized to be at least partiallyinserted through at least a portion of the channel and configured tocoupled to at least a portion of the zipper strip. The tool assemblyfurther comprises at least one support member coupled to the secondportion.

In another embodiment, a system for shaping impingement shieldscomprising a zipper strip is provided. The system comprises a toolassembly that includes a bracket comprising a first portion, a secondportion, and a channel that extends from the first portion to the secondportion. The tool assembly further comprises a connecting member sizedto be at least partially inserted through at least a portion of thechannel and configured to coupled to at least a portion of the zipperstrip. The tool assembly further comprises at least one support membercoupled to the second portion. The system further comprises a forcedevice coupled to the connecting member.

In yet another embodiment, a method for shaping an impingement shieldthat is coupled to a zipper strip is provided. The method comprisescoupling a tool assembly to the zipper strip. The tool assembly includesa bracket comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a channelthat extends from the first portion to the second portion. The toolassembly also includes a connecting member sized to be at leastpartially inserted through at least a portion of the channel and atleast one support member coupled to the second portion. The methodfurther comprises coupling a force device to the tool assembly andpulling the zipper strip using the force device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary tool assembly that may beused to straighten a zipper strip and/or shape an impingement shieldused with a turbine engine;

FIG. 2 is an alternative perspective view of the exemplary tool assemblyin FIGS. 1; and

FIG. 3 is another alternative perspective view of the exemplary toolassembly in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments described herein provide a shaping tool that may be usedto straighten a zipper strip and/or shape an impingement shield usedwith a turbine engine. As described in more detail herein, the tool maybe coupled to a zipper strip used to join together the two halves of theimpingement shield. The tool may facilitate reshaping the zipper strip,and the associated impingement shield coupled to the zipper strip, to adesired contour or profile. The impingement shield may be arcuate, butmay otherwise have any other profile. Returning an impingement shield toa pre-determined profile facilitates removal of the zipper strip and/orimproved cooling within the engine as a result of improved uniformity ofairflow around the shield. These and other benefits may be realized inaccordance with the present disclosure.

In FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary tool assembly 100 is illustrated thatincludes a bracket 105 that is generally rigid. In the exemplaryembodiment, bracket 105 is assembled from a steel material.Alternatively, or additionally, bracket 105 may be assembled from anyother material that enables assembly 100 to function as describedherein.

Tool assembly 100 includes a connecting member 110 that is slideablycoupled to assembly 100 via a channel 112 that extends from a firstportion 114 of assembly 100 to a second portion 116. In the exemplaryembodiment, connecting member 110 includes a first coupling portion 118at a first end 120. First coupling portion 118 enables connecting member110 to couple to a coupling portion 120 on a zipper strip 122 coupled toan impingement shield 124. For example, in one embodiment, connectingmember 110 is a ½″ diameter, 13 NPT-threaded rod. Alternatively, member110 may be any threaded rod, and connecting portion 120 may be anyfastening device, such as a nut, on zipper strip 122 that couples tofirst coupling portion 118. Alternatively, first coupling portion 118and/or coupling portion 120 may be any mechanical fastener that enablesconnecting member 110 to couple to zipper strip 122 to enable assembly100 to function as described herein.

Connecting member 110 includes a second end 128 that includes a secondcoupling portion 126 that enables connecting member 110 to couple to aforce device 130. For example, second coupling portion 126 maythreadably couple to force device 130 such that a desired force isinduced to second coupling portion 126 and to connecting member 110. Inthe exemplary embodiment, bracket 105 includes at least one force devicecoupling portion 132 that enables force device 130 to coupled to bracket105. Force device coupling portion 132, in the exemplary embodiment, isa channel 134 that enables force device 130 to bolt to bracket 105. Morespecifically, channel 134 includes a counter-sink portion 136 that issized to receive a nut therein. Alternatively, force device 130 may becoupled to bracket 105 with any fastening mechanism that enablesassembly 100 to function as described herein. It should be appreciatedthat force device 130 may be coupled to bracket 105 such that forcedevice 130 does not move in relation to bracket 105, while a forceinduced on connecting member 110 causes member 110 to move with respectto bracket 105. First portion 114 of bracket 105 may include a recessedportion 138 that is sized to receive at least a portion of force device130 therein.

Tool assembly 100 includes at least one support member 140 that extendsfrom bracket 105 and that is oriented generally parallel to connectingmember 110. More particularly, in the exemplary embodiment, supportmember 140 extends from bracket second portion 116. Moreover, in theexemplary embodiment, support member 140 includes a support portion 142and a movable portion 144. Movable portion 144 includes a pad 146 and amoveable joint 148 that enables pad 146 to move with respect to supportportion 142. Pad 146 may be selectably positioned, using joint 148, suchthat a pad surface 150 is oriented substantially tangentially to anarcuate surface of impingement shield 124. In other words, joint 148enables pad 146 to be selectively positioned against impingement shield124 such that pad surface 150 mates against the shape or contour ofimpingement shield 124. Pad 146 may self-adjust to the contour ofimpingement shield 124 when support member 140 is positioned againstimpingement shield 124. Alternatively, any support member 140 may beused that enables assembly 100 to function as described herein. Supportportion 142 of support member 140 may be coupled to bracket 105 or to asupport channel 152 in bracket 105. More particularly, support channel152 may be positioned in a support arm 154 in bracket second portion 116and may extend from second portion 116 to first portion 114. In theexemplary embodiment, support portion 142 is slideably coupled tosupport channel 152 to enable a distance 155 of separation betweenbracket 105 and pad 146 to be selectably adjusted.

During operation, one or more force device coupling portions 120 arecoupled to zipper strip 122. For example, in one embodiment, three nuts,e.g., ½″ diameter number 12-thread, stainless-steel nuts, may be weldedto zipper strip 122 at three different locations, e.g., near both ends170, 172 and a middle 174. Force device 130 is coupled to connectingmember 110 via second connecting portion 126. In one embodiment, forcedevice 130 is a hydraulic jack, such as model RCH 121 Holl-o-ramcommercially available from ENERPAC in Milwaukee, Wis. Alternatively,force device 130 may be any other device, including without limitation,a hollow-centered ram, that enables assembly 100 to function asdescribed herein.

Connecting member 110 is coupled to zipper strip 122 via first couplingportion 118 of connecting member 110 and via coupling portion 120 ofzipper strip 122. For example, the threads of first coupling portion 118may be coupled with complementary threads on coupling portion 120.Assembly 100 is positioned with respect to impingement shield 124 toenable pads 146 to contact impingement shield 124.

Force device 130 exerts a force on connecting member 110 to selectablymove connecting member 110. In the exemplary embodiment, force device130 moves connecting member 110 in a direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to zipper strip 122. As connecting member 110 movestowards force device 130, zipper strip 122 is drawn towards bracket 105.Accordingly, support member 140, including pads 146, exerts a forceagainst impingement shield 124 as zipper strip 122 is drawn towardsbracket 105. In the exemplary embodiment, the opposing forces exerted onimpingement shield 124 by connecting member 110 in one direction and bysupport members 140 in an opposite direction facilitate straighteningzipper strip 122 and/or reshaping impingement shield 124 to apre-determined profile.

Force device 130 may continue to induce a force on connecting member 110until a pre-determined force or pressure is reached, until zipper strip122 and/or impingement shield 124 have a desired shape or profile,and/or until connecting member 110 has traveled a pre-determineddistance relative to bracket 105. For example, if force device 130 is ahydraulic jack, the jack may induce a force on connecting member 110until the hydraulic pressure reaches a predetermined range, such as1,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 1,200 PSI. In one embodiment, acontour gauge (not shown) is used to determine whether impingementshield 124 has been reshaped to the desired profile. It should beappreciated that, given the age and other properties of impingementshield 124, a spring-back of the impingement shield 124 may occur afterforce is removed from connecting member 110. Accordingly, impingementshield 124 and/or zipper strip 122 may be pulled beyond thepre-determined profile to allow for spring-back to the desired profile.

The above-described embodiments provide efficient and cost-effectivemethods and systems for shaping zipper strips and/or impingementshields. A tool assembly is provided that may be used with impingementshields of varying sizes to straighten a zipper strip prior to removingthe zipper strip. A straightened zipper strip is easier to remove than adeformed strip and may be removed using fewer tools. An impingementshield that has the above-described profile, together with astraightened zipper strip, provides improved airflow and cooling to theturbine engine system.

Exemplary embodiments of a tool assembly and method of operating sameare described above in detail. The tool assembly and method of operatingsame are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, butrather, components of the tool assembly and/or steps of operating thetool assembly may be utilized independently and separately from othercomponents and/or steps described herein. The tool assembly may be usedduring an impingement shield repair process to straighten a zipper stripbefore the zipper strip is removed from the impingement shield.Alternatively, or additionally, the tool assembly may be used to adjustthe profile of the impingement shield before the zipper strip is removedor after a new zipper strip is installed. It should be appreciated thatany coupling portions, e.g., nuts, coupled to the zipper strip, shouldbe removed before the impingement shields are installed in the turbineengine. Additionally, the tool assembly may also be used in combinationwith other machines and methods, and is not limited to practice withonly a turbine engine as described herein. Rather, the exemplaryembodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with many othersystems. While zipper strips and impingement shields have been used inthe exemplary embodiments described herein, it is contemplated that thetool assembly and method of operating same may be used to straighten orotherwise shape a variety of objects, including, without limitation,objects with a contoured or arcuate surface.

Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention maybe shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenienceonly. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature ofa drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with anyfeature of any other drawing.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool assembly comprising: a bracket comprisinga first portion, a second portion, and a channel that extends from thefirst portion to the second portion; a connecting member sized to be atleast partially inserted through at least a portion of said channel,said connecting member oriented to couple to at least a portion of azipper strip coupled to an impingement shield used in a turbine engine;and at least one support member coupled to the second portion of saidbracket.
 2. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidsecond portion comprises at least one support arm, said at least onesupport member is coupled to said at least one support arm.
 3. A toolassembly in accordance with claim 2, further comprising at least onesupport channel that extends from said at least one support arm to saidfirst portion for slideably coupling said at least one support member tosaid bracket.
 4. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid at least one support member comprises a pad and a moveable joint.5. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said connectingmember is a threaded rod.
 6. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 1,wherein said connecting member comprises a first coupling portion and asecond coupling portion.
 7. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 1,wherein said bracket further comprises a force device coupling portionfor use in coupling a force device to said bracket.
 8. A systemcomprising: a tool assembly comprising: a bracket comprising a firstportion, a second portion, and a channel that extends from the firstportion to the second portion; a connecting member sized to be at leastpartially inserted through at least a portion of said channel, saidconnecting member configured to couple to at least a portion of a zipperstrip coupled to an impingement shield used in a turbine engine; and atleast one support member coupled to the second portion of said bracket;and a force device coupled to said connecting member.
 9. A system inaccordance with claim 8, wherein said force device is coupled to saidbracket.
 10. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said secondportion comprises at least one support arm, wherein said at least onesupport member is coupled to said at least one support arm.
 11. A systemin accordance with claim 10, further comprising at least one supportchannel that extends from said at least one support arm to said firstportion for slideably coupling said at least one support member to saidbracket.
 12. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said at leastone support member comprises a pad and a moveable joint.
 13. A system inaccordance with claim 8, wherein said connecting member is a threadedrod.
 14. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said connectingmember comprises a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion.15. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said bracket furthercomprises a force device coupling portion that extends from said firstportion to said second portion.
 16. A method for shaping an impingementshield used in a turbine engine, said method comprising: coupling a toolassembly to a zipper strip coupled to the impingement shield, whereinthe tool assembly includes: a bracket having a first portion, a secondportion, and a channel that extends from the first portion to the secondportion; a connecting member sized to be at least partially insertedthrough at least a portion of the channel; and at least one supportmember coupled to the second portion; coupling a force device to thetool assembly; and repositioning the zipper strip with respect to theimpingement shield using the force device.
 17. A method in accordancewith claim 16, wherein pulling the zipper strip comprises pulling thezipper strip until the impingement shield has a pre-determined profile.18. A method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising positioningthe at least one support member on a surface of the impingement shield.19. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein coupling a forcedevice to the tool assembly comprises coupling the force device to theconnecting member.
 20. A method in accordance with claim 19, whereincoupling a tool assembly to a zipper strip comprises coupling theconnecting member to the zipper strip.